SeaWolves' Numata dies following Friday accident

Monday

Erie SeaWolves team President Greg Coleman was just praying to see the signature Chace Numata smile each time he walked into the hospital.

"That smile could light up a room. I got to spend some time with the Numata family and even though Chace was unconscious, I kept praying to see that smile one more time," Coleman said. "The world is a darker place without him."

Numata, 27, died Monday from injuries he suffered in a skateboarding accident in Erie on Friday morning.

The Numata family announced his death in a statement issued Monday afternoon:

"It is with deep sorrow that the Numata Ohana announces that Chace Kekoa Kenji Numata, our beloved son, brother, and a friend to all, has passed away on September 2nd, 2019. Chace was a 27-year-old, switch-hitting catcher from Pearl City, Hawaii that was blessed with the opportunity to professionally play the sport he loved for the Phillies, Yankees, and Tigers organizations for over ten seasons.

"Everyone who was around Chace knew there was never a stranger in the room when he was there," the statement continued. "It didn’t matter if you were a professional athlete or young child, he made sure to make everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. His smile was contagious, unrelenting, and never-ending, while his personality could light up any environment he would be in. Our family would like to say 'Mahalo nui loa' to everyone who prayed for, thought of, and acknowledged Chace during this difficult time. We heard you and we appreciate you all from the bottom of our hearts! #FORNUMI"

The SeaWolves players and staff found out after their game in Akron Monday afternoon that Numata had died that morning.

"This is a really tough day for the organization and the Numata family," Coleman said. "The players found out right after the game. It was the family's wishes that the players had a chance to go out and compete and not worry about this news. It was a really somber locker room. Some guys were visibly (shaken), some in tears, some were trying to figure it out. There were a lot of blank stares, and there is no playbook for this type of thing. It's a sad day and we miss Chace a lot."

The Numata family cleaned out his locker on Monday but left a message for the team and organization that read "MAHALO SEAWOLVES! Love The Numatas #ForNumi." Numata's uniforms and other team-related items were left untouched as his jersey hung in front of the locker as a tribute.

According to Erie police, officers were called to the first block of East Fourth Street on Friday at about 2:15 a.m. on a report of a man down. They found Numata on the ground, bleeding from the head. A motorist told police that he was driving through the area when he saw something in the roadway and drove around it, and found Numata, Erie police Captain Rick Lorah said last week. Officers reviewed surveillance video from Erie Insurance security cameras in the area that showed Numata traveling down the street on a motorized skateboard when he fell down. No vehicles were involved in the accident, Lorah said.

Numata was transported by EmergyCare to UPMC Hamot. He had been fighting for his life in the hospital over the past three days. The Numata family was able to get to Erie from Hawaii over the weekend.

"The Detroit Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chace Numata," the Tigers said in a statement. "Though this was his first year with our organization, Chace was beloved by many from our Major League club through all levels of our player development system. He had an engaging personality that quickly established him as a leader on and off the field, and his presence will be forever remembered in our organization and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, teammates and coaches."

Numata was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Pearl City High School in the 14th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He played eight seasons in the Phillies' organization before he was signed by the New York Yankees in December of 2017. He played one season in their system and was a free-agent signing by the Tigers on Nov. 9, 2018. He played most of this season with the SeaWolves, including two stints with Triple-A Toledo.

SeaWolves owner Fernando Aguirre said in a statement that the organization is "heartbroken and deeply saddened" by Numata's death.

"Chace was a leader, an outstanding teammate, a friend to many, and his personality was positive and infectious," Aguirre said. "He made everyone he met feel welcome, and he had a very positive impact throughout the SeaWolves organization and the Erie community. We extend our sympathies to the Numata Ohana and have them in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Chace."

Numata is being remembered by teammates, fans and friends for his engaging personality and leadership on and off the field.

Several SeaWolves and former teammates tweeted about Numata.

Former SeaWolves pitcher Spenser Watkins said, "Chace... I write this with tears in my eyes. I was your teammate for only one year, but feel as if we have been friends for life. You were truly too good for this earth. Thank you for who you are to me. I love you dewd. Rest In Peace my friend #FORNUMI"

SeaWolves infielder Cole Peterson tweeted, "Prayers to the Numata family. An amazing teammate and all around amazing person. #ForNumi"

Former SeaWolves outfielder Dylan Rosa tweeted, "Everything you could ever want in a human being taken way too soon. Prayers and thoughts go out to the Numata family during this horrible time. To my friend and teammate, Rest In Peace buddy."

SeaWolves starting pitcher Tarik Skubal tweeted, "Numi, I love you brother. You are one of the best guys I’ve ever met. Your energy and love was felt by everyone. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. You’ve changed my life forever and your presence in the clubhouse was a gift. Rest In Peace brother. #ForNumi"

SeaWolves pitcher Alex Faedo said, "I can’t explain how tough today has been. Numi not only were you the best teammate but the most selfless, positive, and down to earth person I have ever met. Thank you for being you."

Another starting pitcher, Anthony Castro, simply tweeted a crying face emoji next to a broken heart.

Other tributes to Numata poured in Monday from throughout the league, including from the Trenton Thunder.

"While Chace was only with us for a short amount of time during the 2018 season, he made an immense impact on our community and our organization," the team said in a statement. "Our heart aches for his family, friends and teammates who have all lost an amazing friend and baseball player. #ForNumi"

Jordan Yamamoto, a 23-year-old pitcher for the Miami Marlins who also hails from Pearl City, Hawaii, tweeted:

"You are someone I look up to! Just you being so genuine, funny, and amazing! You are someone that has touched so many people in this lifetime! I can’t believe you are gone! You will be missed by so many! This world won’t be the same without you!"

"Today was an all-time low in my career," he said. "Never in my life did I ever expect to lose an athlete, and not just lose but in such tragic fashion. Chace was one of the best individuals to ever cross paths with. He played his ass off for his team every day, every inning, every pitch."

On Sunday, Numata's teammate Logan Shore launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Chace and the entire Numata family. Every player had donated money on Sunday. And donations came in from baseball players and workers all over the country. The fundraiser's goal started at $1,000 and had increased to $50,000 Monday evening. By 8:45 p.m. Monday, more than $31,000 had been raised for the Numata family from nearly 400 donors.

Shore on Twitter wrote about meeting Numati during spring training.

"I was sitting alone in the cafeteria in Tigertown on my second or third day," Shore wrote. "I was new so I really didn't know anyone. Chace was also new to the Tigers organization. He sat down in front of me with the biggest smile on his face and said, 'Hi, I'm Numi, do you mind if I sit here? You look lonely.'

"This is the epitome of what Chace Numata was and stood for," Shore continued. "He always made sure everyone felt welcome and loved. He always played the game of baseball like it was the last one he would ever play. He always knew how to make everyone smile and never had a poor attitude, no matter what the situation."

Staff writer Matthew Rink contributed to this article.

Tom Reisenweber can be reached at 870-1707 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNreisenweber.

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